Portable Battery Booster

ABSTRACT

A portable battery booster for providing a compact, light, and energy efficient battery to jump start a vehicle. The portable battery booster generally includes a housing, a battery means adapted to be received by the housing, a pair of cable means, each of the cable means having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end electrically connected to the battery means and the distal end detachably connected to a discharged battery of the vehicle. The battery is generally comprised of one or more batteries having the type of primary lithium-metal, rechargeable lithium-ion, and/or lithium-polymer and more specifically preferably comprised of lithium iron phosphate for fast charging, small size, and high performance. The battery may also be connected to one or more supercapacitors, an internal CPU, DC/DC converter, etc. to increase performance. The cable means includes jaws that detachably connect to the housing in a flush and sleek manner.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/381,945, filed on Dec. 16, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/884,340 (U.S.Publication No. 2012/0068662), filed on Sep. 17, 2010, each of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a battery booster and morespecifically it relates to a portable battery booster for efficientlyproviding a compact, light, and energy efficient battery to jump start avehicle.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Battery boosters have also been around for many years and are generallyutilized to provide power to a vehicle battery for starting thevehicle's engine (e.g., an internal combustion engine) in cases wherethe vehicle battery is substantially drained. Conventional batteryboosters generally lose a charge over time, thus forcing the user tocontinually purchase new battery boosters, which can be expensive. Inaddition, conventional battery boosters are generally large, bulky, andheavy. Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is aneed for a new and improved portable battery booster for efficientlyproviding a compact, light, and energy efficient reserve activatedbattery to jump start a vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for efficiently providing a compact, light, and energyefficient battery to jump start a vehicle's engine (e.g., an internalcombustion engine). The invention generally relates to a reserve batterywhich includes a housing, a battery means adapted to be received by thehousing, a pair of cable means, each of the cable means having aproximal end and a distal end, the proximal end electrically connectedto the battery means and the distal end detachably connected to adischarged battery of the vehicle. The battery is generally comprised ofone or more batteries having the type of primary lithium-metal,rechargeable lithium-ion, and/or lithium-polymer and more specificallypreferably comprised of lithium iron phosphate for fast charging, smallsize, and high performance. The battery may also be connected to one ormore supercapacitors, an internal CPU, DC/DC converter, etc. to increaseperformance. The cable means includes jaws that detachably connect tothe housing in a flush and sleek manner.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with theclamps connected to the housing.

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with theclamps disconnected to the housing.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary electrical diagram of a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary electrical diagram of a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary electrical diagram of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 5 illustrate a portable battery booster 10, which comprises ahousing, a battery cell(s) 41 adapted to be received by the housing 20,a pair of cable means 30, each of the cable means 30 having a proximalend 31 and a distal end 32, the proximal end 31 electrically connectedto the battery cells 41 and the distal end 32 detachably connected to adischarged battery of the motor vehicle having an internal combustionengine (e.g. automobile, boat, recreational vehicle, motorcycle, etc.),the vehicle battery generally being a conventional 12.7 volt starterbattery; however different voltage batteries may be appreciated. Thebattery pack 40 generally includes one or more cells 41 having the typeof primary lithium-metal, rechargeable lithium-ion, and/orlithium-polymer and more specifically preferably comprised of lithiumiron phosphate for fast charging, small size, and high performance. Thebattery pack 40 may also be connected to one or more supercapacitors 60,an internal CPU 50, DC/DC converter 70, etc. to increase performance.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the mechanical structure of the presentinvention. The housing 20 is generally comprised of an injection moldedplastic material being of a generally rectangular shape with roundedcorners and having a substantially flat top 21, substantially flatbottom 22, and sides 23. The housing 20 is further generally sleek instructure, thus being relatively thin as compared to conventionalbooster systems. More particular, in the preferred embodiment, thehousing 20 generally has a width of approximately 6 inches, a height ofapproximately 1.5 inches, and a depth of approximately 4.5 inches. Othersizes may be appreciated all which employ the sleek structure making thehousing 20 portable, lightweight, and adaptable to various storagesituations.

The housing 20 also generally includes slots 24 along a rear end ofopposing sides 23 for receiving the proximal end 31 of the cables 33(positive and negative cables) and a retaining element 25 spacedlaterally from the sides 23 of the forward end of the housing 20 forreceiving the jaws 36 c, 38 c of the clamps 34. The housing 20 mayfurther include a recharge port 27 for charging the battery pack 40, theport 27 being electrically connected to the cells 41 of the battery pack40. The housing 20 may further employ a pivotal handle 28 for carrying,wherein the handle 28 is received within a slot 29 of the housing 20.The handle 28 may also serve as a stand or support.

The cable means 30 generally includes the cables 31 electricallyconnected to the battery pack 40 for transferring power and a clamp 33connected to each cable 33 forming the distal end 32. Generally, a pairof clamps 33 are utilized, one for positive and one for negative(ground). The clamp 34 includes a first section 35 and a second section37, the first section 35 pivotally connected to the second section 37near a longitudinal and lateral center pivot point 39 of the clamp 34,each section 35, 37 having an integral jaw 36 c, 38 c and handle 36 a,38 a being comprised of a plastic injection molded structure, and eachjaw 36 c, 38 c having copper clamping teeth 36 d, 38 d electricallyconnected to the cable 33 and battery pack 40. The handles 36 a, 38 amay include gripping means, such as gnp indentations 36 b, 38 b, formore easily maneuvering and operating the clamp 34. The exterior contourof the clamps 34 also generally includes rounded ends to follow theshape of the housing 20. The upper surface of the clamp 34 along theupper section 35 and the lower surface of the clamp 34 along the lowersection 37 are generally flat and when the clamp 34 is detachablyconnected to the retainer element 25 of the housing 20, the uppersurface and the lower surface of the clamp 34 is flush and parallel withthe upper surface and the lower surface of the housing 20 as illustratedin FIG. 1.

The power supply of the present invention is generally comprised of abattery pack 40 having a plurality of battery cells 41 electricallyconnected for transferring power to the cables 33 to provide power tothe discharged battery of the vehicle. The battery pack 40 is generallydetachably connected to the housing 20 within an inner chamber 26. Thebattery pack 40 may be completely contained within the housing 20 or theinner chamber 26 be comprised of an indentation in the housing 20 andthus the battery pack 40 having exterior walls that integrally followthe exterior shape of the housing 20 and form an exterior surface (i.e.be flush with the exterior of the housing 20). Alternately, a pluralityof battery cells 41 may be separately inserted and contained within thehousing 20.

The battery cells 41 are generally small in size, thus allowing for thehousing 20 to be small in size. Generally, each of the battery cells 41employs a 26 mm×65 mm size, thus being substantially small so that thehousing 20 may maintain a slim profile. The battery cells 41 aregenerally comprised of a primary lithium-metal type, a rechargeablelithium-ion type, and/or a lithium-polymer type. A preferably type ofthe battery cell 41 is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) type thusallowing for fast charging, small in size, and having high performance.In one embodiment, four cells 41 meet the specifications of a DOW-KOKAMcell being SLPB 9543140H5. Other embodiment includes an OMNICEL ER18505HD lithium thionyl chloride cell and cells manufactured by A123SYSTEMS, such as A123 ANR26650M1A. In further alternate embodiments, thecells 41 may include rechargeable battery cells combined with primary(non rechargeable) battery cells to enhance the overall performance ofthe batteries. Alternately, or additionally, the present invention mayemploy a hybrid system wherein the battery cells 41 may be combined withone or more supercapacitors 60 to store energy and provide quick joltsof power to the discharged battery. Alternately, a reserve batterycell(s) 41 may be utilized, such as a reserve battery that requiresmanual activation prior to use.

Additionally, the present invention generally employs a heat sink thatuses minimal space and is light weight to maintain battery surfacetemperature that does not exceed 50 degrees Celsius during operation.Additionally, a wiring harness to individually connect each of thebattery cells 41 is utilized. Further, an electronic circuit board thatuses minimal space and is light weight is used to protect the batterycells 41 by providing features such as detecting a shorted load,preventing electric current from flowing through the terminals and intothe lithium ion battery stack, detecting a low lithium ion batteryvoltage and not allowing discharge and related safety and performancefeatures.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrates exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 3, a plurality of battery cells 41 are controlled viaa central processing unit (CPU 50) located within the housing 20 and thestarter current from the battery cells 41 is delivered to the clamps 34for powering the discharged battery, the battery cells 41 beingcomprised of a LiFeP04 type. In FIG. 4, a supercapacitor 60 (SuperCap)receives charge current from a DC/DC converter 70 that is controlled viathe CPU 50, all within the housing 20. The SuperCap 60 is able toprovide a jolt of power to the discharged battery through the clamps 34.A disadvantage to the configuration in FIG. 4 is that the unit must becharged before each usage since the SuperCap 60 has a high leakagecurrent. A hybrid system, as shown in FIG. 5, illustrates a plurality ofLiFeP04 battery cells 41 connected to a DC/DC converter 70 whichprovides charge current to a SuperCap 60 that provides starter currentto the discharged battery through the clamps 34.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialattributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are forconvenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

1. A portable battery booster for boosting a motor vehicle having astarter battery, the portable battery booster comprising: a housing; alithium battery positioned within said housing to provide a firststarter current to the motor vehicle via a pair of cables, wherein eachof said cables is configured to detachably connect to the motor vehiclevia a clamp; a supercapacitor positioned within said housing to providea second starter current to the motor vehicle via the pair of cables; aDC/DC converter to receive a current from a power source and to providea charging current to said lithium battery or said supercapacitor; aprocessor positioned within said housing to selectively control transferof the first starter current or the second starter current to said motorvehicle; and a shorted load circuit to detect a shorted load conditionacross said pair of cables, wherein said processor is configured toprohibit flow of the starter current to said motor vehicle via the pairof cables when said shorted load circuit detects a shorted loadcondition.
 2. The portable battery booster of claim 1, wherein the DC/DCconverter is configured to draw a battery current from the starterbattery and to provide a charging current to said supercapacitor usingsaid battery current.
 3. A portable battery booster for boosting a motorvehicle having a starter battery, the portable battery boostercomprising: a housing; a lithium battery positioned within said housingto provide a starter current to the motor vehicle via a pair of cables,wherein each of said cables is configured to detachably connect to themotor vehicle; a processor to selectively control transfer of thestarter current from said lithium battery to said motor vehicle via thepair of cables; and circuitry to prevent current from flowing from themotor vehicle, through the pair of cables, and into the lithium battery.4. The portable battery booster of claim 3, wherein the housing includesa recharge port for charging the lithium battery, the port beingelectrically connected to the lithium battery.
 5. The portable batterybooster of claim 3, wherein the lithium battery is a lithium-metalbattery, a lithium-ion battery, or a lithium-polymer battery.
 6. Theportable battery booster of claim 3, wherein the lithium battery is alithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery.
 7. The portable batterybooster of claim 3, wherein said housing includes a recharge port toelectrically charge said lithium battery.
 8. The portable batterybooster of claim 3, further comprising a low voltage circuit to detect alow voltage condition for said lithium battery, wherein said processoris configured to prohibit flow of current from said lithium battery tothe motor vehicle via the pair of cables when said low voltage circuitdetects a low voltage condition.
 9. The portable battery booster ofclaim 3, further comprising a shorted load circuit to detect a shortedload condition across said pair of cables, wherein said processor isconfigured to prohibit flow of current from said lithium battery to themotor vehicle via the pair of cables when said shorted load circuitdetects a shorted load condition.
 10. The portable battery booster ofclaim 3, wherein the lithium battery comprises a plurality of batterycells, each of said plurality of battery cells having a nominal voltagebetween 3 and 4 volts.
 11. The portable battery booster of claim 10,wherein the plurality of battery cells consists of three of four batterycells.
 12. The portable battery booster of claim 3, further comprising asupercapacitor electrically coupled to said lithium battery, whereinsaid processor is configured to control discharge of said supercapacitorto said motor vehicle.
 13. The portable battery booster of claim 12,wherein said lithium battery is configured to provide a charging currentto said supercapacitor.
 14. The portable battery booster of claim 12,further comprising an ignition detection circuit to detect an ignitioncondition via said pair of cables, wherein the processor is configuredto discharge said supercapacitor to said motor vehicle via the pair ofcables when said ignition detection circuit detects an ignitioncondition.
 15. The portable battery booster of claim 12, furthercomprising a DC/DC converter electrically connected to the motor vehicleand to said supercapacitor, wherein the DC/DC converter is configured todraw a battery current from the starter battery and to provide acharging current to said supercapacitor using said battery current. 16.The portable battery booster of claim 15, wherein the starter battery isa depleted battery.
 17. The portable battery booster of claim 3, furthercomprising a battery diagnostics circuit to detect a battery diagnosticcondition of said starter battery via said pair of cables, wherein theprocessor is configured to control current flow via the pair of cablesbased at least in part on said battery diagnostic condition.
 18. Acompact portable battery booster for boosting a motor vehicle having astarter battery, the portable battery booster comprising: a housing; asupercapacitor positioned within said housing to provide a startercurrent to the motor vehicle via a pair of cables, wherein each of saidcables is configured to detachably connect to the motor vehicle; a DC/DCconverter to draw battery current from the starter battery, wherein theDC/DC converter converts the battery current into a charging current tocharge said supercapacitor; and a processor positioned within saidhousing to selectively control transfer of the starter current from saidsupercapacitor to said motor vehicle.
 19. The portable battery boosterof claim 18, further comprising an ignition detection circuit to detectan ignition condition via said pair of cables, wherein the processor isconfigured to discharge said supercapacitor to said motor vehicle viathe pair of cables when said ignition detection circuit detects anignition condition.
 20. The portable battery booster of claim 18,further comprising a battery to provide a charging current to chargesaid supercapacitor, wherein the battery is electrically coupled to saidsupercapacitor via the DC/DC converter.
 21. The portable battery boosterof claim 20, wherein the battery is a lithium battery.
 22. The portablebattery booster of claim 18, wherein the housing includes a rechargeport to receive a charging current to charge said supercapacitor,wherein the recharge port is electrically coupled to said supercapacitorvia the DC/DC converter.
 23. The portable battery booster of claim 21,wherein the housing includes a recharge port to receive a chargingcurrent to charge said lithium battery, wherein the recharge port iselectrically coupled to said lithium battery via the DC/DC converter.24. The portable battery booster of claim 18, further comprising ashorted load circuit to detect a shorted load condition across said pairof cables, wherein said processor is configured to prohibit flow of thestarter current via the pair of cables when said shorted load circuitdetects a shorted load condition.
 25. The portable battery booster ofclaim 21, wherein said lithium battery is a lithium iron phosphatebattery or a lithium-polymer battery.
 26. The portable battery boosterof claim 18, further comprising a low voltage circuit to detect a lowvoltage condition for said lithium battery, wherein said processor isconfigured to prohibit flow of the starter current via the pair ofcables when said low voltage circuit detects a low voltage condition.27. The portable battery booster of claim 18, further comprising abattery diagnostics circuit to detect a battery diagnostic condition ofsaid starter battery via said pair of cables, wherein the processor isconfigured to control current flow via the pair of cables based at leastin part on said battery diagnostic condition.
 28. The portable batterybooster of claim 18, wherein the starter battery is a depleted battery.